Aaron Ramsdale, the goalkeeper who recently departed Arsenal to join Southampton, has opened up about his decision to leave the London-based club. Ramsdale cited his desire to play regular football and not be a benchwarmer as the key factor in his move.
The 23-year-old joined Arsenal in 2021 from Sheffield United for a fee of £26 million. He made a total of 89 appearances for the Gunners but found himself replaced as the number one goalkeeper by David Raya. With his options limited at Arsenal, Ramsdale made the switch to Southampton during the summer transfer window.
Speaking to Football Focus, Ramsdale explained, “I did not want to win trophies if I was sitting on the bench. I just wanted to play football. As a kid, I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench. Getting out and playing was my aim so I’m lucky I found myself here at Southampton.”
Throughout his career, Ramsdale had always prioritized playing time. Even during his time at Sheffield United, he chose to go out on loan to ensure he got minutes on the pitch. Despite his limited playing time in his final year at Arsenal, Ramsdale had a successful debut season at the club, winning the Premier League’s golden glove with 16 clean sheets in the league and 20 in total.
During his stint at Arsenal, Ramsdale was part of the team that finished as league runners-up and had a memorable run to the Champions League quarter-finals. He also earned four caps for the England national team between 2021 and 2023.
Ramsdale will have the chance to face his former club as Southampton takes on Arsenal on October 5. His move to Southampton offers him the opportunity to continue his development and secure regular playing time, a crucial factor in his decision-making process.
Overall, Ramsdale’s decision to prioritise game time and playing over sitting on the bench reflects his ambition and determination to further his career in professional football.